Page 37 of Go Cook Yourself

“You weren’t selfish. You had stuff to do. You’re my baby sister and are allowed your own life.” I brush tears from her eyes. “But I’m happy you’re home and so glad I’ve got you. These kids will be lucky to have a caring auntie who will adore them and make them fantastic cakes, filling them with sugar so they can drive me mad.”

I chuckle as her head flops back down. “So the tears aren’t anything medical? Once the gynaecologist signs you off, I can take you home?”

“Yeah, she should be here in a couple of hours. The tears were all about Kalen.”

“I bet he’s doing everything he can to get to you. He adores you, and I’m sure he’s hurting.”

“I don’t want him hurting. I wish he’d hurry up and get home.”

“Me too, Ambs, me too.”

She relaxes in my arms. Amber is my world, and I can’t push away the guilt crawling over my body. If something happened to her and I wasn’t close, I’d hate myself forever. I’m back and need to win that competition so I can stay and make sure she has extra money for the babies and be here for my family and future nieces or nephews. Nothing matters more than the competition and my family.

“Speaking of you and your life,” she whispers.

“You’re meant to be asleep.”

“It’s not far off,” she replies with a long yawn that I can’t help but copy. “So… what’s my cookery school’s grumpy chef doing with you at this late hour?”

“I needed a lift.” I shrug.

“And he happened to be around to give you one.” She giggles.

“Are you laughing at the words ‘give you one’?”

“Yeah.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s helping me with my baking techniques, nothing more.”

“Well, if anyone can stop you from getting a soggy bottom, it’s him.” She giggles.

I smile broadly despite her teasing. “You need to stop watchingThe Great British Bake Offfor the innuendos.”

She sighs and slips farther down the bed. It’s my cue to go and let her rest.

“I’ll be right outside, okay? And you don’t want me to mention this to Mum and Dad?”

“Definitely not. They’ve got enough on their plate dealing with something related to our baby brother and what he’s up to at university. They haven’t told me more, but one of us needs to have a word.”

“He’s twenty and old enough to stop stressing them out.”

“Says you,” she replies cheekily as her eyelids flutter.

“Touché.”

“Now get out of here and ask Garett to help you with your buns.”

I shake my head as I climb out of bed.

“No moreBake Offfor you,” I say as I pause at the door, but she doesn’t hear. She’s already snoozing, and I swear she’s got a cheeky smile on her sleeping face.

Chapter Twenty

Garett

I scroll through my phone, but there’s little there to keep me entertained. In the past, it was full of phone numbers and messages from women who sent texts and photos that made even me blush. I don’t miss that, and I think a certain beautiful blonde with a huge heart, quick wit, and perfect lips is the reason.

I tap the back of the phone and click the case until the nurse at her desk glares at me.

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